HOLYOKE — The Western Massachusetts Training Consortium is inviting the public to a free, family-friendly community fair on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans’ Memorial Park.
A rain date for the community fair will be Thursday, Aug. 21.
The event celebrates 50 years of strengthening communities and creating conditions for people with lived experience to pursue their dreams and strengthen community through voice, choice and inclusion.
This celebration will feature resource tables from Consortium programs and local partners, music, face painting, kids’ activities, food trucks, the Stop & Shop community bus, local vendors and service providers.
Whether you’re looking to connect with resources, explore local businesses or enjoy time with neighbors, there’s something for everyone.
“Your presence and support will make a significant difference, and we look forward to celebrating our 50th milestone together,” said Consortium Executive Director Kristel Applebee.
Applebee said it will be a great opportunity for the community for people to come together to celebrate and connect.
This celebration recognizes the last 50 years and invites our neighbors to be part of what’s next.
The community fair is one of many events the Consortium has hosted to celebrate 50 years of community impact.
In April, the Consortium, located at 187 High St., shared upcoming events to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This milestone marks five decades of dedicated service and positive impact in the community.
The theme for the 50th anniversary is “Mission Possible,” reflecting on the unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve. To commemorate this significant milestone, the Consortium planned a series of fundraising events throughout the year, inviting everyone to join in the celebrations and make this occasion truly memorable.
The Consortium’s mission “creates conditions in which people who have faced marginalization, oppression, or otherwise felt invisible are better able to pursue their dreams and strengthen communities through voice, choice and inclusion. This is supported by an organizational commitment to address systems of oppression and work toward undoing the harms they have caused.”
The Consortium started its schedule of events with the Gallery of Thank Yous Kick Off Celebration on March 20 at Union Station in Northampton and a Funny Raising Comedy Show on April 26.
The final fundraising event that was announced was a Charcuterie & Conversation Donor Appreciation on Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The location is to be announced.
Earlier in the year, Applebee encouraged everyone to join in and make the most of these celebrations.
“Your presence and support will make a significant difference, and we look forward to celebrating our 50th milestone together,” she said.
For more information about the Consortium or its upcoming events, readers can visit wmtcinfo.org.
The Consortium said the celebration would not be possible without the unwavering support of its community ambassadors, Daniel F. O’Sullivan, assistant branch manager at bankESB’s Holyoke Office and Johanna Maldonado, diversity and inclusion director at Stop & Shop.
The Consortium also wanted to extend thanks to its silver sponsors, USI Insurance Services and Health New England, for their continued investment in inclusive, community-centered events like this one.
